2 questions: 1 about overfilling oil like a complete mug, and cleaning the insides of gloves

[Paul the 6th]

Set off out for a ride earlier and pulled over at the petrol station down the road to adjust my mirrors slightly. For some strange reason I glanced down at the oil window and shock horror there's a about a quarter window full at the bottom. I was sat on the bike at the time (so not on sidestand) and jiggled it about a bit. It looked to be settling between 1/4 and 1/3 full. I rode to hein gericke in york and bought a litre of oil and a small funnel then rode back home. This is where it's a bit odd.

I put the bike on the paddock stand so it was upright. I poured about 100ml of oil in at a time and watched the window which didn't seem to show a level at all. I poured a bit more in. Then a bit more. If there was a level, it wasn't moving and I couldn't see it. I had a trickle left in the bottom of the bottle so I put the rest in and thought :confused:

Took the bike off the paddock stand only to realise the oil level was already at the top of the window when I started filling it :smt013 I rocked the bike about see see the level just dip down slightly when tilting over to the nearside. Am I going to really upset the bike by putting this much oil in?

I've had the bike since december and done about a 1000 miles so not had any other oil experience yet. I did pull over 20 mins into the ride and have a quick look - I could see the oil level had dropped to just above half way and bubbled like feck when I rev'd the engine.


Second question. My hands stink like a hamster when I take my gloves off at the end of a ride. Not quite on par with the p1ssy smelling goal keeper gloves we used to have at school but I can imagine them going that way. Had the gloves for about a year but never seen any "Magical Glove Cleaning Spray Formula" so I just stick em in the airing cupboard when they're not in use. Does anyone have any good cleaning tips?


ta

[tone64]

you need to drain it down, too much oil can do damage, :smt088

[Paul the 6th]

guessing an "Oil change" procedure in the haynes manual will help me get the job done? :(

[neio79]

when you put the bike up on the paddock stand it tilts if forward and causes the oil to run and hide, hence why it looked empty untill taken down, Get rid of the excess unless yo uwant to blow the engine!!

[Paul the 6th]

I've just read the oil change bit and it seems easy enough except I don't have anything other than a rear paddock stand and no1 to help hold the bike upright - any tips? Thanks for the replies so far :)

[leatherpatches]

Just undo the sump plug and drain some out.

[simesb]

On the glove front, try putting them in the freezer overnight in a plastic bag. Not tried it myself but it's supposed to work. Something about killing bacteria

[Paul the 6th]

cheers everyone! big help :)

[yorkie_chris]

It's quite hard to drain some out with the sump plug, it tends to go all over the place!

Can be done, but easier to catch more than you need to drain in a clean container then top it up.

[Paul the 6th]

when removing the sump plug bolt - should it feel like it's been designed never to come out even with the use of a hammer/explosives/biblical rage? if no, how the hell do i get it out. I've put a bit of wd40 on and warmed it up slightly. Might have to invest in some long reach t-bars or similar.

[Toby]

On the glove front, try putting them in the freezer overnight in a plastic bag. Not tried it myself but it's supposed to work. Something about killing bacteria

Household freezer temps will not kill alot of bacteria, just freeze them til they come back to normal temperatures. I work in a genetic toxicology lab with bacteria daily and we store our curent stocks at about -20 (normal household freezer temp)

[Paul the 6th]

Household freezer temps will not kill alot of bacteria, just freeze them til they come back to normal temperatures. I work in a genetic toxicology lab with bacteria daily and we store our curent stocks at about -20 (normal household freezer temp)

maybe the microwave or oven then? sstill got a sense of humour.

how the feck do i get this sump plug out. its solid.

[Paul the 6th]

update - I've managed to break the ratchet on a halfords pro spanner, you know the ones with a lifetime guarantee... do the sump plugs actually come out?

[Sid Squid]

Just undo the sump plug and drain some out.

I wouldn't. It ****es everywhere, and you'll not easily get the plug back in with the oil flowing out without making a proper mess.

Undo the oil filter a couple of turns - don't remove it - it's easily turned back into place to stop oil coming out.

[Toby]

maybe the microwave or oven then? sstill got a sense of humour.


the microwave would work a treat on bacteria ;)

Sorry I'm no help on the sump plug, I'm a mechanical n00b!

[Paul the 6th]

Sorry I'm no help on the sump plug, I'm a mechanical n00b!
you should come and help me, u'd definitely be more useful - i've broken a halford pro spanner (they're meant to be unbreakable and have a life time guarantee) I've sworn so much the neighbour popped around and asked me to stop, nearly gashed my hand open and pulled a muscle in my neck. still not got the fcking thing out. trying the filter bolt now...

[leatherpatches]

I'd go back to whoever serviced your bike last and take it up with them.

Just a quick thought: you are turning it the right way, aren't you. I get confused upside down.......

[fizzwheel]

Sump bolts can sometimes be a complete pig to undo. If you're not sure about doing it then take it somewhere and get them to undo it. You dont wanna f*ck about with it, you might strip the thread. Which is nasty. Do what Sid says, undo the oil filter.

As for checking the oil, you can check it on your own if you follow this process.

Kneel down on the RHS of the bike, grab the front brake lever with your right hand and put the brake on, this stops the bike rolling anywhere. Now grab the riders footpeg with your left hand then using both arms lift the bike upright and get it on the balance point. You'll then find you're at the perfect eye level to look in the sight glass, Once you're done gently lower the bike back down onto its side stand.

Just take it steady and dont rush it, if you do it slowly you wont drop your bike, I've checked the oil on all our bikes this way loads of times.

[kwak zzr]

Just undo the sump plug and drain some out.

i unscrew the filter a few turns its easy'r

[yorkie_chris]

I'd leave that sump plug alone and undo the other bolt under there, the one with the 8mm (iirc) allen bolt in it. It's right under the screen/oil pump feed. Not sure what the effects of draining out of this one are but it's better than snapping the normal one.

I bet your sump plugs held in with araldite or something. They really don't need to be tightened to 3 million NM whatever the manual says.

[simesb]

I removed a bit of excess oil with a syringe and tube through the oil filler cap. No help unless you have a syringe ;-)

[pmapp]

If you havn't sorted it Paul give us a shout, I might* be able to have a bimble over tomorrow.


*Usual exclusions apply, including rain, shopping for a new bed, or something good being on telly :-)

[Paul the 6th]

fixed :) managed to sort it out - one last question though, I did do about 50 miles with the affore mentioned excessive level of oil - could i have done any lasting damage?

thanks to all who replied...

oh and with regards to sex and the city, I was held against my will

[leatherpatches]

No, mate. Very unlikely to have done any harm. It will just get burnt off. The damage (I believe) comes from sustained periods with too much oil creating too much pressure which causes problems over time. But I'm prepared to be wrong on that one.

[leatherpatches]

oh and with regards to sex and the city, I was held against my will

Yeah, right. :lol:

[Woz]

No, mate. Very unlikely to have done any harm. It will just get burnt off. The damage (I believe) comes from sustained periods with too much oil creating too much pressure which causes problems over time. But I'm prepared to be wrong on that one.

I was under the impression that too much oil creates too much pressure which can blow gaskets/seals etc, so if you have nothing leaking then no damage done. But, like leatherpatches, I'm prepared to be stood corrected.

[yorkie_chris]

Can lead to excess frothing and getting bubbles into the oil system or so I heard...

IMO if it hasn't gone bang then there's no lasting damage, and if there is then there's not a lot you can do about it anyway.